Easy cutter

ABSTRACT

A cutting device is described having a base with an opening with cutting edges, and a flap articulated with respect to the base, the flap having a shape corresponding to the opening and cutting edges corresponding to the cutting edges of the opening. The cutting device is preferably provided as part of a kit for preparing and delivering hemostatic material to a patient.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This application claims priority to provisional U.S. applicationSer. No. 60/200,702 filed Apr. 28, 2000, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The invention relates to a cutting device for cutting foamsheets, and more particularly, the invention relates to a cutting devicefor cutting sheets of compressed hemostatic foam.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

[0003] Bioabsorbable hemostatic foam is used in the medical field topromote hemostasis in many different applications. Two examples ofapplications in which hemostatic foam is delivered through a cannula aredescribed in International Publication Nos. W099/56692 and W099/56632which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Asdescribed in these applications, a pledget of compressed hemostatic foamis cut from a sheet of the foam material and is rolled or folded into aconfiguration which is inserted into a delivery device. Once the foampledget is inserted into the delivery device, the foam is hydrated anddelivered to a body for promoting hemostatis.

[0004] Cutting the compressed hemostatic foam (such as Pharmacia UpjohnGelfoam) is difficult and awkward. Although cutting the foam with atemplate and a cutting device, such as a knife is possible, it would bedesirable to have a cutting device that can quickly and easily cut apiece of foam of a predetermined size and shape.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention relates to a cutting device for cuttingshapes from sheets of material, such as sheets of compressed hemostaticfoam. The present invention also relates to a kit for deliveringhemostatic foam including a cutting device.

[0006] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a cuttingdevice includes a base having an opening with cutting edges; and a flaparticulated with respect to the base, the flap having a shapecorresponding to the opening and cutting edges corresponding to thecutting edges of the opening.

[0007] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, acutting device includes a base having an opening with cutting edges; aflap articulated with respect to the base, the flap having a shapecorresponding to the opening and cutting edges corresponding to thecutting edges of the opening; and wherein the base is mounted on a card,and the card supports a medical device system.

[0008] In accordance with further aspect of the present invention, amedical kit includes a sheet of medical foam material; and a cutter forcutting the foam material, the cutter includes a base having an openingwith cutting edges, and a flap articulated with respect to the base forcutting foam.

[0009] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a kitfor cutting sheets of material, the kit including a base having anopening with cutting edges; a flap articulated with respect to the base,the flap having a shape corresponding to the opening and cutting edgescorresponding to the cutting edges of the opening; and a presentationcard which supports at least one medical device.

[0010] In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, amethod of cutting foam sheets includes the steps of placing a piece offoam underneath an articulate edge of a cutting device; and pushing downthe articulated edge to cut the piece of foam between the edges of thearticulated flap and an edge of an opening on a base of the cuttingdevice.

[0011] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, amedical system includes a sheet of medical foam material; and a cutterfor cutting the foam material, the cutter including a base having anopening with cutting edges, and a flap articulated with respect to thebase for cutting foam.

[0012] The present invention provides a cutting device that can quicklyand easily cut a piece of foam to a predetermined size and shape.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The invention will now be described in greater detail withreference to the preferred embodiments illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, in which like elements bear like reference numerals, andwherein:

[0014]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an easycutter according to the present invention;

[0015]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of step 1 with the easy cutter ofFIG. 1;

[0016]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of step 2 with the easy cutter ofFIG. 1;

[0017]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of an easycutter according to the present invention;

[0018]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of step 1 with the easy cutter ofFIG. 4;

[0019]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of step 2 with the easy cutter ofFIG. 4;

[0020]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the easy cutter of FIG. 4.connected to a presentation card for medical device systems;

[0021]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an easy cutter according to athird embodiment of the invention;

[0022]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a top portion of the easy cutterof FIG. 8 in an inverted configuration;

[0023]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of step 1 with the easy cutter ofFIG. 8; and

[0024]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of step 2 with the easy cutter ofFIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] The easy cutter 10 of FIG. 1 is formed from a sheet of rigidmaterial such as polypropylene with a rigidity which is sufficient tocut, shear, and/or punch through the foam material. The polypropylene orother sheet has a U-shaped cut which forms an articulated flap 30 forcutting the foam. As shown in FIG. 2, a sheet of hemostatic material isinserted under the articulated flap and the flap is pushed down to cutthe foam between the edges of the articulated flap and the edges of theU-shaped opening. The material may be cut by shearing, punching, or acombination thereof. FIG. 3 illustrates a cut piece of foam 20 which hasbeen cut from a sheet 40 of foam material. The easy cutter 10 may beincorporated as part of a presentation card which supports a medicaldevice system for delivering the cut foam material.

[0026] FIGS. 4-6 illustrate an alternative embodiment of an easy cutter50 including a base 52 and a flap 60. The easy cutter 50 of FIG. 4 maybe molded out of a plastic material. The flap 60 includes a cutting edgewhich corresponds to an opening in the base 52. A guide edge 62 is alsoprovided for aligning a sheet of foam material. As shown in FIG. 5, thesheet of foam 40 is inserted below the flap 60 and aligned with theguide edge 62. The flap 60 is pushed downward cutting a piece 20 of foamof a predetermined size and shape. FIG. 7 illustrates the easy cutter 50which has been mounted on a card 70 which supports a medical devicesystem for delivering the cut foam material. The easy cutter 50 may beformed from two pieces which are snapped together to trap the card 70between the pieces.

[0027]FIG. 8 illustrates an alternative embodiment of an easy cutter 80which cuts four strips of foam material from a foam sheet. The easycutter 80 of FIG. 8 includes a base 82 having four openings and a flap90 having four rails 92 for cutting the four strips of foam. Each of therails 92 includes a ridge 94 (shown in FIG. 9) which forms a crease inthe foam material. The creases may be particularly useful for foldingthe strip of foam material at a predefined location. As shown in FIG.10, the sheet of hemostatic foam material 40 is inserted into the easycutter and abuts the guide surface 96. The flap 60 is then pressed downto cut the four foam strips 100 shown in FIG. 11.

[0028] It should be understood that the easy cutter according to thepresent invention may be used to cut any number of different shapedpieces of foam. The pieces which are cut may be cut on three sides asillustrated. Alternatively, the easy cutter may cut shapes which requirecutting on 1, 2, 3, 4, or more sides of the shape. Other free formshapes such as stars and other polygons may also be cut depending on theparticular application.

[0029] The easy cutter according to the present invention isparticularly designed to be used in a kit including medical devices fordelivery of a hemostatic sponge material. However, it should beunderstood that the easy cutter may also be used for cutting manydifferent materials in both medical and non-medical applications.

[0030] When the easy cutter is used for medical applications it is asterile single use device or a device which may be cleaned,resterilized, and reused. For non-medical applications the easy cuttermay be unsterilized.

[0031] The term foam as used herein is intended to mean a biocompatiblematerial which is capable of being hydrated and is resilientlycompressible in a hydrated state. Preferably, the foam isnon-immunogenic and may be absorbable or non-absorbable.

[0032] While the invention has been described in detail with referenceto the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to one skilledin the art that various changes and modifications can be made andequivalents employed, without departing from the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cutting device comprising: a base having anopening with cutting edges; and a flap articulated with respect to thebase, the flap having a shape corresponding to the opening and cuttingedges corresponding to the cutting edges of the opening.
 2. The deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the base has a guide edge.
 3. The deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the base is mounted on a card.
 4. Thedevice according to claim 3, wherein the card supports a medical devicesystem.
 5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the medical devicesystem is for delivering a foam material.
 6. The device according toclaim 1, wherein the base has a plurality of openings with cuttingedges.
 7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the flap has aplurality of rails for cutting a plurality of strips.
 8. The deviceaccording to claim 7, wherein each of the rails has a ridge which formsa crease in the strips.
 9. The device according to claim 1, wherein theflap has a ridge.
 10. The device according to claim 1, wherein the shapeof the flap is a polygon.
 11. A cutting device comprising: a base havingan opening with cutting edges; a flap articulated with respect to thebase, the flap having a shape corresponding to the opening and cuttingedges corresponding to the cutting edges of the opening; and wherein thebase is mounted on a card, and the card supports a medical devicesystem.
 12. The device according to claim 11, wherein the base has aguide edge.
 13. The device according to claim 11, wherein the medicaldevice system is for delivering a foam material.
 14. The deviceaccording to claim 11, wherein the base has a plurality of openings withcutting edges.
 15. The device according to claim 14, wherein the flaphas a plurality of rails for cutting a plurality of strips.
 16. Thedevice according to claim 15, wherein each of the rails has a ridgewhich forms a crease in the strips.
 17. The device according to claim11, wherein the shape of the flap is a polygon.
 18. A medical kitcomprising: a sheet of medical foam material; and a cutter for cuttingthe foam material, the cutter including a base having an opening withcutting edges; and a flap articulated with respect to the base forcutting foam.
 19. The kit according to claim 18, further comprising amedical device system for delivery of a foam material to a patient. 20.The kit according to claim 19, wherein the medical device system is fordelivery of a hemostatic material to a puncture site.
 21. A kit forcutting sheets of material, the kit comprising; a base having an openingwith cutting edges; a flap articulated with respect to the base, theflap having a shape corresponding to the opening and cutting edgescorresponding to the cutting edges of the opening; and a presentationcard which supports at least one medical device.
 22. The kit accordingto claim 21, wherein the presentation card supports at least onenon-medical device.
 23. A method of cutting foam sheets, the methodcomprising: placing a piece of foam underneath an articulate edge of acutting device; and pushing down the articulated edge to cut the pieceof foam between the edges of the articulated flap and an edge of anopening on a base of the cutting device.
 24. The method according toclaim 23, further comprising delivering a piece of foam to a puncturesite.
 25. A medical system comprising: a sheet of medical foam material;and a cutter for cutting the foam material, the cutter including a basehaving an opening with cutting edges; and a flap articulated withrespect to the base for cutting foam.
 26. The medical system of claim25, wherein the foam material is sterile and delivered to a body.